How to build your own bar

Whether you live in Bathurst or Broome, Alice Springs or Airlie Beach, a home bar is as much a part of the stereotypical Aussie dream home as a quarter-acre block and a tinnie on the driveway.

It's a great talking point, handy for entertaining, and somewhere to stash those bottles of wine that need an excuse to be opened. And, if you're a teetotaller, there'll be no better place to enjoy a lemon, lime and bitters.

While there is some effort involved, the good news is that building a bar is cheap and -- as long as you have the tools -- relatively easy. It's also pretty fun.

How you do it

(Ryobi)

#1 Select your spot

The bar we'll build will be able to go against a wall, or stand alone. It can be moved if necessary, but it'll save you a lot of effort if you build it where it needs to be. The bar should be fastened to the floor to prevent spilled drinks.

#2 Now we'll start with the frame

Take a 200cm piece of timber, and mark four 40cm intervals on one of the wide sides. Take 6 x 103cm pieces of timber, and drill two pilot holes (these are holes to guide the screws) at each interval to line up with the end of each piece of timber. Do the same for the two pieces that will be at the ends. From what will be the bottom of the frame, screw each to the base. Follow our guide here for how to drill and saw safely.

Take your other piece of 200cm piece of timber, and mark four 40cm intervals on one of the wide sides. Drill two pilot holes at each interval to line up with the end of each piece of timber, and secure the top of the frame. It should look something like this:

(Studio)

#3 With the front of the frame done, it's time for the sides

This is where it gets a little technical. Take a 41cm length of timber and use the pocket hole jig (this is a tool whose only job is this type of thing) to make two pilot holes at one end, through which you can screw the timber at 90 degrees to the end of the frame, on the floor.

Repeat this process for the other corners of the bar, so each corner – top and bottom – has a piece of timber at 90 degrees. Slot the two pieces of 90 x 90 timber into the two rear corners, and fasten screws through the tops and bottoms.

Place the 50cm x 200cm MDF (cut to make the kind of 'c' shape you want for your bar) on what will be the top of the bar, and secure it to the top and the frame and the sides using the shorter wood screws.

(Studio)

#4 Your bar now needs some support

Take the remaining four pieces of 41cm timber and use the pocket hole jig to secure them at right angles to each timber upright behind the bar.

Next, take the four pieces of 65cm timber and cut at a 45-degree angle at each end, so they can support each exposed upright behind the bar. Screw them in to create the long side of a triangle against each upright. Your bar should now look like this:

(Studio)

#5 It's time to start adding the cosmetic touches

Take your other sheets of covering and add them to the front and sides. Depending on the covering you have chosen, you may have to screw it into the timber uprights.

(Studio)

#6 Finally, let's make this bar look like a bar

Secure the bar rail you have chosen at comfortable foot level. Depending on the type of rail you have chosen, it may extend around the corners, or just along the front. Secure your bar to the floor in a way that works for your house or apartment. Invite friends over, and bask in the glory.

(Studio)

This article is intended as a guide only. Please consult a professional before undertaking any DIY project. Measurements may need to be adjusted, depending on the bar rail moulding you select, the thickness of the MDF used, and other factors. Always use safety equipment.